Vacuum attachment for dial looping machine



June 27, 1961 v. H. BUTLER 2,989,935

VACUUM ATTACHMENT FOR DIAL LOOPING MACHINE Filed March 19, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR 34 ATTORNEYS Bgm.

June 27, 1961 v. H. BUTLER 2,989,935

VACUUM ATTACHMENT FOR DIAL LCCPING MACHINE Filed March 19, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ggf. 6.

I/aujhn H. Buf/er.

ATTORNEYS` Patented June 27, 1961 2,989,935 VACUUM ATrAcHMENT FOR DIAL LooPlNG MACHINE kVaughn H. Butler, Harriman, Tenn., asgnor to Burlington Industries, Inc., Greensboro, N.C., a corporation of Delaware Filed Mar. 19, 1959, Ser. No. 800,510 3 Claims. (Cl. 112-252) This invention relates to dial looping machines, and in particular to a vacuum attachment therefor, adapted -to improve the operation of the seaming chain cutters conventionally provided therewith. A principal object of the invention is to provide a vacuum attachment adapted to engage and hold the stitching chain extending between successive fabric articles being seamed, whereby the stitching chain is positively severed at its leading and trailing ends, closely adjacent the leading and trailing fabric articles between which it extends. In the operation of conventional seaming chain cutters, the chain when severed hom a leading article may be displaced outwardly off the dial, in such position that it is not severed from the trailing article. This necessitates manual clipping of the seaming chains from the articles at inspection or some other subsequent operation, and an important object of this invention is to obviate such subsequent manual clipping.

Further objects are to provide a suction device adapted to carry away severed lengths of stitching chain, whereby the looping machine and the articles being seamed thereby are maintained clean and free of litter. The suction device is simple and inexpensive, positive and automatic in operation, and has no moving parts, Whereby it requires no maintenance. Further objects will be in part evident and in part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention and the novel features thereof may be made clear from the following description and the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective View of a portion of a conventional dial looping machine, illustrating the device of the present invention in association with the stitching chain cutter mechanism thereof;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational View, on enlarged v scale, of the vacuum device and the stitching chain cutter, looking toward the leading side thereof;

FIGURE 3 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 3 3 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is an exploded view showing the interiitting connection between the cutter supporting bracket and the attaching bracket of the `vacuum device;

FIGURE 5 is a bottom plan view of the vacuum device;

FIGURE 6 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the relationship between the vacuum device, the cutter, and the line of pins of the looping machine, the latter carrying a pair of spaced articles which have been looped and a stitching chain extending therebetween. This gure illustrates the relationship of the elements at the moment the stitching chain is severed from the leading ar- Y ticle;

FIGURE 7 is a view similar to FIGURE 6, showing the position of the elements after the fabric articles have advanced slightly, and the stitching chain has been drawn up into the vacuum device;

'FIGURE 8 is a View similar to FIGURE 6, showing the Yposition of the elements as the trailing end of the stitching chain approaches the cutter; and

FIGURE 9 is a view similar to FIGURE 6, showing therelative position of the elements as the trailing end of the stitching chain reaches the cutter.

,:Referringto .the drawings and in particular to FIG- URES 1, 2 and 3, 2 represents the dial support of a conventional looping machine, and 4 the usual rotatable ring, rotatable in clockwise direction as viewed in FIG- URE 1. The ring 4 is provided with a plurality of radially extending impaling pins A6, on which fabric articles may be arranged in appropriately spaced relationship, in the well known manner. The articles y8 may, for example, be seamless stockings, which are commonly manufactured with an open slit in the toe, the toes being closed by a seaming operation in the manner illustrated. The pins 6 extend outwardly beyond the edge of the ring 4, their inner ends being bent downwardly and clamped in position by means of the clamping ring 10 and screws 12.

The attachment of this invention and the conventional cutter of the dial looping machine, with which it is associated, are both carried by bracket means arranged adjacent an edge of the stationary dial support 2, at' a position approximately beyond the usual stitch forming mechanism, as indicated in FIGURE 1. The bracket means comprises a pair of vertically disposed plates 14 and 16, secured together by bolts 18. As indicated in FIGURES l and 2, the plate 16 extends outwardly beyond the end of the plate 14, and carries the laterally extending bearing portion 20, which extends in front of the plate 14 and over the row of impaling pins 6. Plate 14 is provided with a flange bottom 22, which is secured to the dial support 2^ by bolts 24 and 26, and the plate 14 is provided further with a horizontally extending groove 28 adjacent its lower edge, adapted to receive the llange 30 of bracket 32 of the novel suction tube 34 provided in accordance with the present invention. As clearly shown in FIGURE 2, the suction tube bracket32 is provided with a slot 36, through which a bolt 38A Amay extend into the plate 14, whereby the suction tube'may be mounted on the plate i14, the slot providing relative adjustment therebetween.

As illustrated in FIGURES 1, 2 and 5, the lsuction tube 34 is substantially L-shaped. The tube bracket 32 extends from the outer end of the lower section thereof, and positions the lower section of the tube 34 over and in slightly spaced relation to the line of pins `6, and to the normal path of the stitching chain 40. Desirably, the lower section of the suction tube is positioned about IVM, above the pins. On its lower side, the tube 34v^is provided with a slot 42, which extends from a point adjacent the inner end of the` tube lower section to the outer end of the lower section, and upwardly a short distance into the end -wall 43. The upper sectionV of the suction tube 34 is angulated with respect to the lower section thereof, extending upwardly from the plane of the dial support, and communicates with a exiblehose 44 which extends to a suitable source of suction l(not shown).

The outer end wall 43 of the lower section of the suction tube 34 is positioned in close proximity to the cutting blades 46 and 48 of the cutter, the cutting blades being carried on the bolt 50 which extends through the bearing portion 20, in which it is yieldingly held by spring 52 and nut 54. As is well known, blade 48 is stationary and the blade 46 is pivotally mounted onthe bolt 50, the blades being held in yieldable engagement by the normally compressed spring 52. As shown in FIGURE 1, the upper end of the pivoted blade 46 -is connected by a bolt 56 to the adjustable link 58, the other end of which is pivotally connected to the eccentric 60, which is driven by a shaft 62 extending through the bearing housing 64 and tube 66 and connected-.for rotation to the machine drive. For adjustment ofthe cutter, the link 58 is provided with the customaryy olt and slot connection 68. i

Operation Y Articles to be seamed are manually positioned on the `Ving chain ends.

lipins. 6, in the usualilmanner, at the front of the machine.

Seamless stockings, for example, may be positioned for toe closing by suitably arranging both edges of the toe opening on the pins. The articles so positioned are 'carried "successively through theV usual trimming and "sti'tchforming mechanisms, whereafterthey are carried to the cutter mechanism described. The stitchformingme'chanism, as Will be understood, elfects a continuous stitching chain, whichl extends through the presentededges vof the fabric articles and becomes a seam therein, and between successive articles extends Y over the row of pins in the form of a continuous chain rate them, as previously indicated, it frequently fails to cut the stitching chain lengths closely from both at- VAtached articles, and it is fairly common for the seamed articles to retain lengths of` stitching chain attached thereto. Since these are unsightly, the articles must besubsequently inspected, and any attached lengths of stitching chain removed therefrom manually. Further, the cutter normally functions with what might be characterized as a nibbling action, creating a considerable Vquantity of waste which litters the machine and its operator, and may iind its way into the goods.

p In accordance with the present invention, and with particular reference to FIGURE 6, as the trailing end fof-each fabric article 8 passes the cutting blades 46 and 48, with suction in the tube 44 inducing air ow through ,slot 42 into and through the suction tube 34, the trailing-stitching chain 40 is sucked up into the slot 42 of the suction tube 34, whereby the stitching chain is tensioned and raised up from the pins 6 on which it normally rests, to an elevated position which insures it will be engaged by the cutter blades and cut close to the fabric article, leaving a stitching chain end of minimum length extending therefrom. `'I'his elevation of the stitchving chain is facilitated by the extension of the slot 42 into `the lower portion of the tube end wall 43. The stitching chain so freed from the leading article is mmediately sucked up through slot 42 into the upper section of the suction tube, and so maintained by air movement therethrough, as illustrated in FIGURE 7.

As the :following fabric article 8 advances, the stitch- .'ing kchain length still attached to and extending from the leading end thereof is sucked up into the vacuum tube so far as possible, until the leading edge of the fabric article reaches the trailing end of the slot 42, whereafter the leading. end of the fabric article pulls the attached stitching chain length progressively forward ,and out of the suction tube, as shown in FIGURE 8, the suction device maintaining the stitching chain in elevated position and suitably tensioned.

When the leading end of the following fabric article k8 passes the end of the lower section of the suction tube, the attached stitching chain length is disposed in the reversely bent position illustrated in FIGURE 9,

whereupon as the fabric article advances slightly the stitching chain is engaged without fail by the cutting /blades 46 and 48 and severed from the fabric article, Vleaving an end of minimum length. Immediately upon severance of the stitching chain, the severed length is carried away through the suction tube and the connect- -ing hose 44, to a suitable screen or other receptacle.

- In this way, positive engagement of the stitching chain chain ends is obviated. Y Additionally, the cuttingV station of the looping machineis maintained in absolute cleanli- 2,989,935A Y r g A, .M

ness, and the possibility of waste falling into Vthe goods is prevented. ,v A

It will thus be seen that there has been provided by this invention a structure 1in which the various objects hereinbefore set forth, together with many practical advantages, are successfully achieved. As various possible Yembodiments may bemade of the mechanical features of the above invention, all without departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood ythat all 4matter 'hereinbefore set forth or shownV in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and Vnot in a limiting sense.

I claim:

l. Ina looping machine-having a rotatable dial Yprovided with a plurality of impaling pins movable in a VC ircular path forreceiving successive fabric articles to be seamed, and cutting'means carried by said machine in proximity to and above the path of said pins to sever the stitching chain extendingbetween said fabric articles when said articles are carried by said pins past Vsaid, cutting means; a suction attachment mounted on said machine in proximity to said cutting means and said pins Iand adapted to lift said chain into position toibe positively severed by said cutting means from both leading and trailing fabric articles, and to convey severed lengths of said chain away from said machine, said suction attachment comprising ya suction tube having one end open and adapted to be connected to a source of suction andits other end substantially closed, said tube being disposed with its longitudinal axis substantially tangential to the edge of said rotatabledial, the 'lower side of said tube being spaced above the plane of said rotatable dial, the closed end of s'aid tube being disposed adjacent and on the leading side of said cutting means as viewed in the direction of rotation of said dial, said suction tube having a'slot opening in the side of said tube adjacent said pins, said slot opening extending through the major length of said adjacent lower side and opening out Ithrough said closed end.

2. In a Vlooping machine having a rotatable 'dialprovided with a plurality of impaling pins movable in a circular path for receiving successive fabric articles to be seamed, and cutting means carried by said machine in proximity to and above the path of .said pins to severthe stitching chain extending between said fabric articles when said articles are carried by said pins .past said cutting means; a suction yattachment mountedV yon said machine adjacent said cutting means and said pins, said suction attachment comprising a suction tube having an open inner end adapted to be connected to a source of suction and a substantially closed outer end, said tube kbeing dis- VVposed with its longitudinal axis substantially' tangential to portion of said tube having a slot in its side adjacent said pins through which said stitching chain may be rst drawn by suction into said tube into position to be positively severed by said cutting means from both leading and trailing fabric articles, and then after severance conveyed through said tube away from said machine, said slot extending through the major length of said adjacent lower side and opening out through said closed end.

3. In a looping machine having a rotatable Vdial provided with a plurality of impaling pins movable in a circular path for receiving successive fabric articles to be seamed, and cutting means -carried by said machine in proximity to and above the path of said pins to sever the stitching chain extending between said fabric articles when said articles are carried by said pins past said cutting means; a suction attachment mounted on said ma- "chine adjacent said-cutting means and said pins, saidsuction attachment comprising a suction tube and a bracket for removably attaching said tube to said machine, said tube having a lower substantially horizontally arranged section and an upwardly extending section, said lower horizontally arranged section being disposed with its longitudinal axis substantially tangential to the edge of said rotatable dial and having its lower side spaced above the plane of said rotatable dial, said lower section being substantially closed at its outer end and being provided with a longitudinally disposed slot in its lower side, the closed outer end of said lower section being disposed adjacent and on the leading side of said cutting means, said slot extending through the major length of said lower section and opening out through said closed end, said upwardly extending section being adapted for connection to a source of suction, said bracket for connecting said tube to said machine extending laterally from one side of said lower section, suction in said tube serving both to draw said stitching chain into said tube through said slot to position where it will be positively severed by said cutting means from both leading and trailing fabric articles, and to `convey severed stitching chain lengths through said tube and away from said machine.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,214,170 Kiewicz Jan. 30, 1917 1,847,537 Redcay Mar. 1, 1932 1,853,377 Randall Apr. 12, 1932 2,424,102 Vescontee et al. July, 15, 1947 2,661,519 Rubin Dec. 8, 1953 2,669,765 Auton Feb. 23, 1954 2,712,805 Peterson et al. July 12, 1955 2,906,296 Ancet et al. Sept. 29, 1959 FOREIGN PATENTS 772,913 Great Britain July 22, 1955 

